After a week of emotional soul searching, Billy North said he has decided to remain as head football coach and athletic director at Ehret rather than take similar positions at the new Thomas Jefferson High School in the Jefferson Parish Public School System.

North informed Ehret Principal Randi Hindman and Jefferson Principal Gerard LeBlanc of his change of heart Monday morning when the school system resumed operations following the Christmas and New Year's holiday break.

"During the two weeks we had off for the holidays I had a chance to think more about my decision," North said. "I still believe Thomas Jefferson is a great place and that Dr. LeBlanc is doing a great job there and that it would have been a great place to work, but after 20 years of working here (at Ehret) with all of the fine administrators, faculty, staff and, of course, the children, it just became apparent to me that it would be a difficult thing to leave. Then I realized I shouldn't leave."

North interviewed for the Thomas Jefferson position on Dec. 17 and was informed via letter from LeBlanc on Dec. 24 that he had been selected to build a football program at the West Bank's new magnet school.

"We're elated that he's decided to stay at Ehret," Jefferson Parish Public Schools Athletic Director Manny Barocco said. "The thing has not gone to the Board. It solves a major problem as far as trying to replace somebody of his caliber at Ehret. We're tickled."

North, 48, said personal and private reasons, which he declined to elaborate on, factored into his original decision to seek the Thomas Jefferson job after spending 21 years at Ehret, including 18 as head football coach.

"It was really tearing me up inside, especially leaving at mid-term and leaving a group of kids who came back to us after (Hurricane) Katrina," North said while fighting back his own emotions. "Our senior class are kids who came back after Katrina. I couldn't leave those kids."